S1, E1: Ross Poldark, a survivor of the American War of Independence, travelling home to Cornwall discovers his father has died; calls at his Uncle's home to discover his inheritance in ruins and his sweetheart Elizabeth betrothed to another man, his cousin Francis Poldark. Hostilities among the locals rise when he takes on a kitchen maid, Demelza Carne, beaten by her father who wants her back and with no help from his Uncle who wants him to leave Cornwall; Ross becomes more determined to stay and work his inheritence.